NewerTech today announced the miniStack v2.5, a new addition to its miniStack line of external hard drives. The miniStack v2.5 also functions as a centralized desktop hub for connecting multiple digital devices. It features a unique ergonomic rear and side port configuration of three FireWire 400 and four USB 2.0 ports. The miniStack v2.5 was built for performance as well. It employs the latest generation Oxford 934 bridge chipset and a 7200RPM Serial ATA (SATA) hard drive with up to 32MB of cache. Here is a complete rundown of the features and pricing:

I could be wrong here, but I'm pretty sure the main difference is SATA. The old MiniStack v2 was for IDE drives. The MiniStack v3 has FW 800 and eSATA, so that's obviously the difference between the v2.5 and v3 now. It also costs a good deal more.

Actually, the MiniStack v3 was ill fitted to the current Mini, since it had only FW800 connectors at the back, so you either had to use an adapter or use the side FW400 connector.
But anyway, I would recommend the direct buying of Macpower M9-DX2 which is the OEM for the Ministack.
At least on that one, the fan speed can be manually controled, when on my MiniStack v3 it was so noisy I had to discard it; Newertech should be prosecuted about their "whisper quiet operation" advertisement which is true... the first five minutes, before the drive warms up and the fan starts rotating .

Are any of these drives actually aluminum or are they all "aluminum coloured plastic". yuck.

I don't think the plastic is all that bad. It matches the Mac mini and looks decent. It was the fan noise that bothered me with the Ministack. I basically ended up ripping mine out. I think the open space and vents in the back offer more that enough airflow anyways. And the fan was never pushing out a ton of hot air.

I hope they improved the quality of the unit. I bought one a couple of years ago and had the thing break 3 times. NewerTech was very good to work with, repairing the unit every time under warranty. But after the 3rd time, I'd had enough and bought something else.

Actually, the MiniStack v3 was ill fitted to the current Mini, since it had only FW800 connectors at the back, so you either had to use an adapter or use the side FW400 connector.
But anyway, I would recommend the direct buying of Macpower M9-DX2 which is the OEM for the Ministack.
At least on that one, the fan speed can be manually controled, when on my MiniStack v3 it was so noisy I had to discard it; Newertech should be prosecuted about their "whisper quiet operation" advertisement which is true... the first five minutes, before the drive warms up and the fan starts rotating .